The state of New York has found itself at odds with the Donald Trump administration over its decision to provide undocumented migrants with driver’s licenses. The Department of Homeland Security has decided to suspend New Yorkers from enrolling in Global Entry and other Trusted Traveler Programs. A top official even went to the extent of saying that the problems that led to a disaster like 9/11 were being recreated because of New York’s move.
That the tension between the Trump administration and the blue Empire State is still a long way from getting quelled became evident on Sunday, February 9. President Trump lashed out at New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and the state’s governor, Andrew Cuomo, over two separate instances of shootings of police officers in the Bronx over the weekend.
On Sunday morning, a lieutenant of New York Police Department (NYPD) was shot in the arm inside a precinct while another officer was ambushed while sitting in a patrol vehicle on Saturday (February 8) evening. Surveillance video showed the suspect entering the 41st precinct in Bronx and shoot at the officers who came to investigate a gunshot sound before 8 am.
Attacks on NYC cops irk 'local man' Trump
On Sunday, Trump, who was born in NYC, posted a tweet expressing his disgust. “I grew up in New York City and, over many years, got to watch how GREAT NYC’s “Finest” are. Now, because of weak leadership at Governor & Mayor, stand away (water thrown at them) regulations, and lack of support, our wonderful NYC police are under assault. ‘Stop this now!” he said.
Trump’s reaction soon led to a political polarization. Tim O’Brien, a Trump biographer and a former journalist who now works as an advisor to the presidential campaign of Michael Bloomberg, also a former mayor of NYC, responded to the president’s tweet, saying: “Translation: “I grew up in a mansion in Queens and then lived in a Caesar’s Palace-style aerie several hundred feet above Fifth Avenue. Real New Yorkers have always considered me to be a con man and a cartoon character”.”
Last July, the president reacted to the instances of people dousing NYPD officers with water and the videos went viral on social media. On that occasion, the 73-year-old Trump called the instances “total disgrace” and asked de Blasio to act.
Trump slams New York Governor Cuomo
Trump also had his moments of conflict with Cuomo. On Saturday, he referred to New York and its the Democratic governor as “stupid” after the latter allegedly scrapped a meeting with him at the White House. On Friday, February 7, Cuomo announced that he has planned to sue the federal government for its strong step on the New Yorkers over the Green Light Law. Cuomo though denied that he canceled the meeting. Trump, on his part, alleged that New York is a state which is very difficult to work with and accused it of only suing him all the time.
On the issue of attacks on policemen in NYC, it has remained a critical one. While Trump has sympathized with the law enforcers, anti-police sentiments are also on the rise in the city as local people have accused the NYPD of harassing subway riders for not being able to pay fares. Last week, hundreds of people shouted slogans denouncing the police in Grand Central Terminal. Protesters have also attacked station walls across the city and vandalized glued machines for swiping train cards.
Meanwhile, officers in the city were alerted after the twin attack incidents.
The New York Post released a picture showing the accused Robert Williams lying on a hospital bed after suffering injuries during his arrest on Sunday morning.
